A UK-based maker of connected streetlights, Telensa, reported that the Sunshine Coast Council of Australia has selected Telensa to deploy its PLANet intelligent street lighting system, for a 24-month pilot project. The pilot project will create, demonstrate, and test a smart infrastructure in the Maroochydore City Centre development, and in nearby Evans Street.
The council says that Sunshine Coast is one of the largest and fastest growing regional economies in Australia, and says the Maroochydore City Centre development will create a new capital city for the region with smart technology embedded from the outset.
The Australian government has allocated A$50 million for the Smarter Cities and Suburbs Program to encourage projects that "improve the livability, productivity and sustainability of cities and towns across Australia".
One project funded under the program is installation of temperature, lighting and motion sensors in buildings and bus interchanges in Woden, ACT. This will allow energy systems to be automatically adjusted in response to people's use of these spaces, with the aim of reducing energy use and improving safety and security.
Read more: AU: Technology is making cities smart, but it's also costing the environment
Between the problems with the census and the media coverage around My Health Record, you’d be forgiven for thinking Australia was doing a terrible job at digital transformation.
But the United Nations thinks we’re doing well — or at least everyone else is doing worse.
Australia has been ranked number two in the world for delivery of online services in this year’s UN E-Government Survey, just behind global leader Denmark.
Read more: Australia comes in second place in latest UN digital government rankings
From communications to services, the modern world is changing. We are more online and more digital than ever before. And it’s no wonder why. According to recent research, digital transformation will add an estimated $45 billion to Australia’s GDP by 2021 and increase its total growth rate by 0.5 per cent each year.
With an emphasis on digital products and services, alongside a focus on the adoption of emerging technologies, digital transformation has the power to accelerate growth, drive competitive advantage, and improve areas like work, healthcare, and education.
Read more: AU: Network infrastructure: The foundation of a successful business
Ipswich in Queensland has become the only Australian city to score a gong in IDC Asia Pacific’s list of the 19 most outstanding smart city projects in Asia Pacific, excluding Japan. It was recognised in the administration category along with Wuhan East Late Free Trade Zone in China.
Auckland Council’s Safeswim initiative scored a gong in the safe water category. They were the only ANZ winners. China, Taiwan and Singapore as the biggest winners claiming five, four and three awards respectively.
Read more: AU: Queensland: Ipswich scores IDC smart city gong